Staten Island's natural Sunnyside spring closed indefinitely

Staten Island Advance/Pamela SilvestriAl King of the Marine Corp. League in Sunnyside fetches water from an ever-flowing spring.

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. --The natural spring that flows continuously in Sunnyside be- tween Ontario Ave. and Logan St. is closed indefinitely. The Marine Corp. League, the entity that owns the land from which the water sprouts, cites liability issues.

Fans of this liquid phenomenon swear by the water and its alkaline properties. It is believed to hail from Pennsylvania and remains a source for the lakes and streams in Clove Lake Park.

For better or worse, the spring has attracted fans from all over the region. Its popularity has grown geometrically over the years and the recent crowds created quite a bit of vehicular traffic to Logan Ave., the residential block on which there was access to the water.

Recently, the Marine Corp. volunteers who maintain the ever-flowing fountain, grew frustrated by caravans of visitors who drew water by the drumful, sometimes stocking up an entire truck or minivan at a clip. As a result, queues of water-seekers would be left waiting for quite a bit of time leading to arguments and brawls. Out of frustration for the situation the Marine Corp. League simply closed off access to the site.

Al King, one of the commanders in the League, says he is not certain when or if it will reopen to the public.